3 Easy Ways on How to Change PDF Password Securely

  Kumar Raj
Written By Kumar Raj
Anuraag Singh
Approved By Anuraag Singh  
Published On March 26th, 2025
Reading Time 7 Minutes Reading

Have you ever forgot PDF password? This might be frustrating. Many professionals look for ways to change PDF password. This isn’t just a single issue — there are several instances where users need to reset the password of PDF documents. Whether it’s updating security passwords or ensuring secure sharing, this guide covers everything. By reading this article, you’ll discover the best methods including free and advanced tools for changing the PDF password without data compromise. So, let’s dive into it.

What are the Common Types of Passwords for PDFs?

PDFs are becoming the constant workmate for professionals. From ordinary to sensitive information, this document format is a savior, keeping the data in its original structure. Due to the increasing number of malicious activities or unauthorized access, protecting the PDF is essential. To lock PDF from editing and misuse, there are different modes of password protection used to prevent access.

Here are the common types of PDF passwords that can secure your documents:

  • Open Document Password: To block the opening and accessibility of the document, the open document or user password is helpful. Using this protection, the owner can share the confidential PDF only with legitimate viewers. Here, users require the correct passkey to open, view, and edit the document.

a) Purpose: To limit access to highly sensitive documents like contracts, legal policies, financial records, transaction data, client information, and more.

b) How User Password Works: If the PDF is secured using open password then, the viewer needs to enter the password in the display checkbox. Without the passkey, the file remains locked or inaccessible.

  • Owner Permission Password: Despite password protection, owner restriction is yet another crucial type of security. This is mainly applied to limit the actions like editing, text copying, printing, and more. It is beneficial for making an ideal document when it comes to sharing data among teams.

a) Purpose: This type of protection is used to control access when distributing with multiple users. Some of the documents include books, research papers, legal contracts, etc.

b) How Owner Password Works: The document owner changes the security to limit the actions. It prevents viewers from editing, printing, repurposing, extracting content, and pages for malicious purposes.

These are the common types of passwords applied to PDF documents. Before jumping to the methods to change PDF password, let’s first discover the reasons for resetting the document password security.

Why Reset PDF Password?

PDF password protection is a smart way to secure the data. In many instances, you need to change password on PDF to improve security, update credentials, and more. The purpose is to ensure effective document management to revoke unauthorized access. Here are the common reasons for changing the document password:

enter pdf password

  • Document Security: The practice of updating passwords is key to mitigating cyberattacks including brute force. Moreover, the repetitive use of passwords unlocks the fear of compromise. Changing passwords is essential for enhanced security,
  • Accidental Access: If the legitimate password falls into the wrong hands, it can lead to damage to information and data exposure. Here comes the need to change password of PDF immediately to control the access.
  • Compromised PDF Password: Suppose the password for PDF has been compromised by phishing attacks, hacking, etc. To safeguard the data, the document owner must set a new strong password to block the sharing or opening of PDF files.

Overall, changing the document password isn’t just regular practice but a necessity if credentials are compromised. In this way, you can ensure data management and security when sharing or archiving the file.

How to Reset Password PDF File?

To change PDF password, you need to first remove the current passkey. Try SysTools PDF Unlocker Tool, the powerful and trusted software. This pro solution is designed for Windows or Mac OS, allowing professionals to disable the different modes of protection. Using this advanced tool, you can immediately remove document passkey and owner restrictions such as editing, content copying, and more.

Moreover, this software accepts PDF documents despite the file size. Before changing the password, you need to use this handy tool to disable the previous document credentials. Additionally, this pro utility supports batch processing to save time or effort. Now, let’s dive to learn PDF password change techniques.

#1 How to Change PDF Password Online?

To set password for PDF, various online tools like Smallpdf, PDF2Go, iLovePDF, Sejda PDF, etc, are available. Using these free websites, you can change or update the PDF password effortlessly. Moreover, these online platforms allow you to create strong passkey to limit access. Despite the password, you can impose necessary restrictions to control the viewer’s actions.

Most importantly, online tools are a fast and reliable way of changing passwords. Without installing tools or signups, you can just drag or drop the file. It is a simple yet effective method for anyone. Here are the steps to reset PDF password using online tools:

  1. Go to online websites like iLovePDF.
    add normal all pdfs
  2. Drag the necessary PDF document.
  3. Add the complex password using letters, symbols, and numbers.
  4. Lastly, tab Lock icon to upgrade the document credentials.
  • Pros: Online platforms are free, quick, and convenient for changing document security. Here, you don’t need to worry about the file size.
  • Cons: These websites aren’t secure when it comes to uploading confidential data. The chances of data compromise and exposure are high, don’t rely on online solutions if handling privileged information.

#2 How to Reset Password PDF File – Adobe Acrobat Tool

If you’re searching for a secure way to change password of PDF, Adobe Acrobat is the one. This robust software is designed for professional or business users providing handy yet advanced features. Using this pro solution, you can update the new password for the document. Moreover, this tool allows you to add a user or owner password at once. Additionally, it prevents the chances of data exposure and misuse.

Here is the step-by-step guidance to reset the document password using the Adobe Acrobat tool:

  1. Launch the Adobe Acrobat on your PC.
  2. Move to Tools and then, the Protect option > Encrypt.
  3. To set the new password > type the passkey > re-enter it.
  4. Lastly, press OK and download the secured document.
  • Pros: Acrobat is a secure and trustworthy tool for effective PDF document management.
  • Cons: This software is highly costly; individual professionals and small businesses couldn’t bear the subscription plans. Instead of this software, look for alternative tools for changing the document settings.

#3 How to Change Password on PDF Securely – SysTools PDF Password Tool

Try SysTools PDF Lock Tool, the best way to reset password for PDF documents. This standalone software provides extensive features for protecting data. Using this powerful tool, you can change document security including password and owner permissions in a single dashboard. Additionally, it allows you to create passwords to mitigate the chances of compromise.

Most importantly, this top-notch software is beneficial for securing file integrity and formatting during the process. Unlike Acrobat, this independent tool is fast, trustworthy, and cost-effective for everyone. Now, let’s dive to understand the workings.

Free Download Purchase Now

Guide to Reset PDF Document Password

  1. Run SysTools PDF Password Tool.
  2. Pick “Add Files” to upload the required document.
    add pdf document
  3. Use the Change button to discover the location > Next.
    change button to find the location
  4. Under “Apply Document Open Password” > enter a new password.
    apply document to change the pdf password
  5. After this, re-enter the credentials > press the Lock key.

Final Words

Regularly improving document security is essential for many reasons. It is beneficial to mitigate unauthorized access and malicious activities. In the above guide, we have shared the 3 best ways for how to change PDF password. These methods are fast, reliable, and straightforward for professionals. Among all these solutions, SysTools PDF locking software is the one that allows you to reset the document password securely. Moreover, this is an ultimate tool for protecting and managing the document with security.

  Kumar Raj

By Kumar Raj

Kumar Raj has more than 14 plus years of expertise in migration technology. He likes to create, edit, and optimize web material on topics conversion of email data, and migration of email data. For the majority of the past ten years, he has been a devoted fan of the technology scene.